10 cops injured in mob violence

Shillong: At least 10 security personnel, mostly policewomen, were injured when a mob pelted stones at them during a rally near Shillong Civic Hospital, demanding laws to empower the indigenous tribes.

Police had to burst tear gas shells to quell the 8,000-strong mob in the Meghalaya capital.

The mob went berserk during a rally near Shillong Civic Hospital, demanding laws to empower the indigenous tribes, a police officer said.

Violence started minutes after leaders of the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong Ka Bri U Hynniewtrep (SNSBH) announced that they were giving the government another month to fulfil the demands, the officer said.

The mob started attacking the security personnel who were barricading the area to prevent the crowd from any attempt to storm into the main secretariat. Over 10 security personnel were injured in stone-pelting, East Khasi Hills District SP M Kharkrang said.

He said the injured personnel were mostly policewomen and that they have been sent for medical care.

SNSBH leaders said the decision to give one month time to the government was taken in view of the fact that the Village Administration Bills aimed at empowering village chiefs is pending with the Centre and subsequently the assurance of the Chief Minister to aggressively pursue with the matter.